Bookstore

They all stress the value of shopping locally, and with good reason: Thanks to their loyal customers, these smaller bookstores are doing stellar business.

The 600-plus author events, poetry readings and benefits for community causes at Book Passage in Corte Madera are having a big impact. Sheryl Cotleur, the store’s buying director, says their seasoned staff help “guide people to the right books.” She adds wistfully, “I wish people knew more about how great our poetry is.”

In its 42nd year, Green Apple Books and Music in San Francisco carries used and new books, as well as music and DVDs for the “non-readers,” says co-owner Pete Mulvihill. Like a wine seller who chooses his wares carefully, he strives only to sell “books that our customers will most likely want.” Really, though, he just likes “the books and the people.”

Kepler’s in Menlo Park has been around for 53 years. President Clark Kepler took over the reigns from his father, and sees his current challenge as making the store a “21st-century bookseller.” The bookstore sports a recently established membership program, and sponsors author events at local schools.

In Berkeley, Black Oak Books is undergoing renovations and awaiting the delivery of 5,000 titles and new bookshelves, all of which was made possible by its devoted patrons. Manager Stephanie Vela enjoys the link that the store’s used books provide to the past. They provide “a unique opportunity to hold something in your hand that gave pleasure and comfort to another person,” she says.

Coming in second were Moe’s Books in Berkeley, Stacey’s in San Francisco and Linden Tree in Los Altos.

1st Place

San Francisco

Green Apple Books and Music

(415) 387-2272

www.greenapplebooks.com

East Bay

Black Oak Books

Berkeley

(510) 486-0698

www.blackoakbooks.com

South Bay/Peninsula

Kepler’s

Menlo Park

(650) 324-4321

www.keplers.com

North Bay

Book Passage

Corte Madera

(415) 927-0960

www.bookpassage.com

2nd Place

San Francisco

Stacey’s

(415) 421-4687

www.staceys.com

East Bay

Moe’s Books

Berkeley

(510) 849-2087

www.moesbooks.com

South Bay/Peninsula

Linden Tree

Los Altos

(800) 949-3313

lindentree.booksense.com

Children’s gift store

For the j. reader with children nagging for new things, here is the antidote. These stores are readers’ favorites because of their kid- and parent-friendly atmospheres — not to mention their shelves of neat tchotchkes.

Jean Yamashita opened Mr. Mopps in Berkeley nearly 50 years ago with her husband Eugene. She says the store “has a kind of magic feeling about it” that makes it unique. When buying for the store’s book section, Yamashita focuses on the classics: “Books that people always remember.”

Beginning as a temporary store at the Northgate Mall in San Rafael, A Child’s Delight now has three locations and a loyal following. As a specialty-oriented toy store, A Child’s Delight stocks toys from toy fairs in New York and Pomona. Co-owner Jonathan Meyer enjoys the creative side of his work: “We like creating an environment that customers enjoy.”

At Just For Fun & Scribbledoodles, co-owner David Eiland strives to be in touch with the guests walking in his door. Recognizing that they can’t compete with larger chain stores, he says, “I try to pick for the neighborhood … I don’t try to be everything.” Just For Fun’s hand-picked selection of children’s books also reflects Eiland’s 20 years of experience in publishing.

Linden Tree in Los Altos houses an array of children’s books alongside the musical offerings that inspired its opening. Between the children’s play area and the family concerts it hosts, the store appeals to kids and parents alike. “It’s a cheery place full of surprises,” says Linda Ronbert, who runs the store with her husband, Dennis.

Taking second were Oakland’s Rockridge Kids, San Francisco’s Ambassador Toys, and bob and bob in Los Altos.

1st Place

San Francisco

Just for Fun & Scribbledoodles

(415) 285-4068

www.justforfun.invitations.com

East Bay

Mr. Mopps

Berkeley

(510) 525-9633

www.shopinberkeley.com/m/mrmopps

South Bay/Peninsula

Linden Tree

Los Altos

(800) 949-3313

lindentree.booksense.com

North Bay

A Child’s Delight

Corte Madera

(415) 945-9221

www.achildsdelight.com

2nd Place

San Francisco

Ambassador Toys

West Portal: (415) 759-8697

Embarcadero: (415) 345-8697

www.ambassadortoys.net

East Bay

Rockridge Kids

Oakland

(510) 601-5437

www.rockridgekidsstore.com

South Bay/Peninsula

bob and bob

Los Altos

(650) 947-7010

www.bobandbobjudaica.com

Judaica/Jewish bookstore

Though these stores may protest that they won because of a lack of competition, it is this very reason that makes them special. These Judaica and Jewish bookstores stand out for the unique niche they occupy — and chuppah rentals are supposed to be the hot new thing.

Their “camaraderie and caring for the community,” puts San Rafael’s volunteer-run Rodef Sholom Sisterhood Gift Shop in the spotlight, according to manager Sharon Gordon. Fueled by their love of the Jewish community, some of the store’s volunteers have been there for over 20 years. “[The store] is not very big, but it has a lot of heart,” Sharon says.

Bob and bob in Los Altos is probably one of three Judaica shops in California that can cite a crowd of Spanish-speaking Christians as part of its clientele, or a mother-daughter team as its owners. Shirley and Ellen Bob opened the store 26 years ago and continue to draw new customers with their author events, as well as their “very close relationship with our customers,” said Ellen Bob.

Chaim Mahgel recently bought Afikomen from its original owner, and he knows that the 18-year-old Berkeley institution owes its success to its reflection of Bay Area values. “We want to be a flagship of sustainability,” he says, noting that the store carries organic kosher wine. “If it wasn’t for the customers feeling good and getting what they like … we wouldn’t be able to be in business.”

Across the bay, nestled in the sweet digs of the JCCSF, Dayenu offers personalized gifts spanning all price ranges. One of the store’s two owners, Eva-Lynne Leibman, says their location has a lot to do with their popularity. “Pretty much every Jew in the Bay Area comes through [the JCCSF] at least once,” she says.

In second place were the Oasis at Beth Jacob Congregation in Oakland, Aaron’s Jewish Book Service in San Francisco, and Miriam’s Well in Foster City.

1st Place

San Francisco

Dayenu

(415) 563-6563

www.dayenu.com

East Bay

Afikomen

Berkeley

(510) 655-1977

www.afikomen.com

South Bay/Peninsula

bob and bob

Los Altos

(650) 947-7010

www.bobandbobjudaica.com

North Bay

Rodef Sholom Sisterhood Gift Shop

San Rafael

(415) 444-8098

www.marinjcc.org

2nd Place

San Francisco

Aaron’s Jewish Book Service

(415) 509-3279

East Bay

The Oasis

Oakland

(510) 482-1147

www.bethjacoboakland.org

South Bay/Peninsula

Miriam’s Well

Foster City

(650) 341-4400

www.miriams-well.com

Place to register for gifts

Having a baby? Getting married? Get out that wish list and head over to Macy’s, j. readers’ favorite place to register for gifts, to take a turn with the golden scanner.

At Macy’s’ flagship store in Union Square in San Francisco, knowledgable consultants are available to introduce couples to the store’s huge selection. “We try to make it as much fun and efficient as we can,” says Joan Schweizer, the store’s bridal registry manager. Macy’s recently started using the term “wedding registry” instead of “bridal registry” to reflect the newly legalized status of same-sex marriage: They want to make sure everyone feels included, Schweizer says.

Gump’s in San Francisco took second place.

1st Place

Bay Area

Macy’s

Various locations

(415) 397-3333 ext. 2460

www.macys.com

2nd Place

Bay Area

Gump’s

San Francisco

(800) 882-8055

www.gumps.com

Small gift store

It’s your brother’s wife’s sister’s birthday — and just before the party, you realize you’ve forgotten a gift. Don’t worry — just sneak out the back door and head to one of j. readers’ favorite gift stores.

Because the original location was down the street from the JCCSF, Dandelion in San Francisco has always enjoyed having the Jewish community as a large part of its clientele. This “mini department store” has sections devoted to everything from pop-up books to pets, says co-owner Steve Fletcher. “We’ve always tried to learn from and participate with our customers,” he says.

When cranberries are ready for harvest, the fields are flooded and the berries are scooped out of the water; it’s from these scoops that Los Altos’ Cranberry Scoop takes its name. After buying a quilted Vera Bradley satchel or building your own bracelet, you can walk out with your purchase wrapped, free of charge. “We try hard to make people happy,” says owner Ellen Biolsi.

From decorative newspaper-print bowls to open-grid wire platters, Pelago in Oakland carries everything you never knew you needed and more. For almost 15 years, the store has been providing “contemporary, design-driven” goods at a great price, says manager Theresa Henrekin. And lest you think gift-buying is women’s work, Pelago attracts men as well. “Men say, ‘I know I can shop here and my wife will always like what I get,'” Henrekin says.

Just For Fun & Scribbledoodles and David M. Brian, in San Francisco and Walnut Creek respectively, took second place.

1st Place

San Francisco

Dandelion

(415) 436-9500

www.dandelionsf.com

East Bay

Pelago

Oakland

(510) 339-7090

South Bay/Peninsula

Cranberry Scoop

Los Altos

(650) 948-2554

www.thecranberryscoop.com

2nd Place

San Francisco

Just For Fun & Scribbledoodles

(415) 285-4068

www.justforfun.invitations.com

East Bay

David M. Brian

Walnut Creek

(925) 947-1991

www.davidmbrian.com

Readers Choice Awards 2008